KEY POINTS:
America's politicians are waking up to the moneymaking and job creation possibilities of combating Global Warming and challenging the Bush Administration to invest in a new generation of green-collar jobs.
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives wants to spend almost $7 billion ($10 billion) in the coming year to reduce the nation's enormous carbon footprint. This has put it on a collision course with the Bush Administration, which remains in denial about the dangers posed by global warming.
A major clash is expected between the White House and Congress in the autumn, with President Bush sceptical of the Democrats' newfound enthusiasm for the environment. The best way to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil is to drill for more, he believes.
The oil industry is keen to open up vast new areas off Alaska's coast for drilling. The rising temperatures, brought on by global warming, have made this a possibility, which the industry wants to exploit. But pressed by an increasingly environmentally aware public, Democratic politicians are pushing 'green' initiatives instead.
The leading Democratic presidential candidates are pressing for change and holding out the prospect of new environment-centred jobs to replace the hundreds of thousands already outsourced to Asia.
Energy bills before the US House and Senate call for billions of dollars in new spending on a programme to train workers for the 'green-collar' economy. They envision jobs for tens of thousands of solar-panel installers, wind turbine erectors and other initiatives that will reduce America's oil dependence.
Enthusiasts foresee a ballooning of construction work on a green buildings, organic farming, solar panel manufacturing. The green-collar economy is already booming. Including renewable energy and clean technology it is, by some accounts, the fifth largest market sector in the United States.
The Democrats want to spend $1.9 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes, double what the White House is willing to spend. They want a nine-fold increase in geothermal spending, something President Bush wants to abolish altogether.
Environmentalists are enthusiastic about the new political will in Washington, but want tight scrutiny on where the money is spent. Sensing change, American businesses are also lobbying for subsidies for everything from corn to ethanol plants and coal-to-oil despite dubious environmental benefits.
"Lobbyists are crawling out of the woodwork to say their idea is good for global warming," said Frank O'Donnell of Clean Air Watch, "some of the initiatives are, but many are not".
"The danger is that the three sacred cows of the US economy: coal, cars and corn will hijack the new mood of environmental awareness," he said. The presidential candidates who are busy seeking votes in Iowa are all enthusiasts for the corn-to-ethanol economy despite evidence that it hikes up food prices and increases pollution.
Reduction in pollution is central, said Mr O'Donnell, especially tougher restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.
Attempts to increase the miles per gallon standards and emission efficiency of US cars have so far been stopped in their tracks by lobbying from car manufacturers and unions, but a range of other initiatives are being promised significant investment.
The Democrats also want to develop a $1-billion foreign aid programme to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the help of US technology.
"Green is becoming very fashionable," said Congressman David Hobson of Ohio after winning $500,000 for a geothermal demonstration project in his constituency. "I think members are going to be challenged in their district" about how they are responding to concerns about climate change and US dependence on foreign oil.
Then there are tax breaks to allow local government to raise about $6 billion to fund green projects. California, the most progressive US state in the battle to reverse carbon emissions would get the largest chunk of that money, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"Congress is putting its money where its mouth is, and devoting real resources to trying to address the problem of climate change," according to the Alliance to Save Energy, a broad based grouping that brings together business, consumer, environment interests.
- Independent
